In a landmark ruling, Justice Abiola Sholadoye of the Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced 32-year-old street sweeper, Damilola Omojolowo, to life imprisonment for the defilement of a 14-year-old girl. Omojolowo was convicted on one count of defilement, with the judge emphasizing that a minor cannot legally consent to any sexual activity.
The prosecution, led by A.R. Abolade, revealed that the convict committed the offence between June and July 2022 at No. 3 Church Street, Ajegunle, Ikorodu Road, Lagos. The incident came to light on August 6, 2022, after Omojolowo allegedly gave the victim a tablet, resulting in her bleeding. The victim was subsequently taken to the hospital.
During the trial, Omojolowo pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted to having unlawful intercourse with the victim, whom he claimed was his girlfriend. However, he denied giving her any tablet to ingest.
Justice Sholadoye, in delivering the sentence, stressed that even if the minor had consented, it would be of no legal consequence. The judge declared the defilement a strict liability offence with a mandatory sentence, sentencing Omojolowo to life imprisonment in accordance with Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Additionally, the judge ordered that Omojolowo’s name be registered in the sex offenders registry maintained by the Lagos State Government, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and the need for public awareness regarding individuals convicted of such offences. The ruling sends a strong message against sexual exploitation of minors and underscores the legal responsibility for the protection of vulnerable members of society.
